A federal judge has ruled to suspend Maine’s recently enacted three-day waiting period for gun purchases, calling the measure “indiscriminate” and a violation of Second Amendment rights. This decision, which aligns with gun rights advocates, blocks a law intended to prevent impulsive purchases that could lead to suicides, a pressing issue in Maine where a staggering 87% of gun deaths in 2022 were suicides.
U.S. District Judge Lance Walker emphasized that the law affected all buyers regardless of their background checks, stating it represents “indiscriminate dispossession.” The case has sparked debate among state officials and national organizations, with proponents warning about the potential increase in suicide risks without the waiting period. As Maine’s Attorney General pledges to continue defending the law, this legal battle could set a precedent affecting similar laws across the nation.
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